Furor is raised over proposal to tear down Univision building

The Univision building will be demolished to make room for an apartment building, sparking a debate about whether it should be preserved. A good discussion for the city, but the structure’s 1955 design doesn’t strike us as particularly historic.

The Univision building will be demolished to make room for an apartment building, sparking a debate about whether it should be preserved. A good discussion for the city, but the structure’s 1955 design

The building, at a prime location by the San Antonio River at St. Mary's Street and César Chávez Boulevard, is being vacated by Univision, which is moving to the North Side.

The city's Office of Historic Preservation supported conceptual approval of the project, with a condition the site's history be acknowledged. The project must return to the HDRC for final approval.

“Basically, we had a stipulation that there be some sort of recognition of the first Spanish-language station once being there” with a marker or signage, said Shanon Miller, director of the preservation office.

The San Antonio Conservation Society and Texas Historical Commission want the building preserved, perhaps incorporated into the project, because of its ties to Latino culture and media pioneer Raoul Cortez.

Cortez founded the TV station and KCOR-AM, the nation's first Spanish-language radio station, launched in 1946.

His work led to the 1962 start of Univision, which now has headquarters in Los Angeles and is the nation's leading Spanish-language television network.

In a June 5 letter to the Conservation Society, the Texas Historical Commission said the building qualifies for the National Register of Historic Places, with ties to “communications and ethnic heritage,” and possibly also for its midcentury design and links to Cortez.

“The building is eligible at the local level of significance, but more information about its role in Spanish-language broadcasting and Cortez's role in the Hispanic civil rights movement may support listing at the state or national levels,” said the letter, signed by commission executive director Mark Wolfe.

The developer, Greystar of Charleston, S.C., has said it wouldn't comment on the project until a purchase agreement with Univision is finalized and permits issued.

Sue Ann Pemberton, conservation society president, called the idea of razing the building and placing a plaque “a tombstone approach.” The state historical commission's position may be critical in preserving the structure, which is in a river improvement district and has midcentury design features — a rectangular form, low horizontal massing and huge expanses of glass.

“The fact that they've deemed it eligible is a strong statement,” Pemberton said.

Miller said the preservation office doesn't intend to seek historic designation of the structure. Another party could initiate the process, ultimately to be decided by the City Council. Although Weigand has said demolition is planned, Miller said the developer has not requested a permit to begin that work.

Graciela Sánchez, executive director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, said she and others support efforts to save the building.

“It could be important again, not just to the Latino community but all communities,” she said. “We often forget how important our city has been to our nation's history.”